Rishi Sunak Joins Microsoft and Anthropic as Paid Adviser

TL;DR:

  • Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has joined Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic as part-time paid adviser
  • Watchdog prohibits lobbying ministers on behalf of companies for two years
  • All proceeds donated to The Richmond Project charity focused on numeracy

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has secured advisory positions with technology giant Microsoft and artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic, whilst retaining his parliamentary seat for Richmond and Northallerton. The appointments follow regulatory approval from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which oversees post-government employment.

Context and Background

Sunak’s role at Microsoft involves providing strategic perspectives on geopolitical trends, whilst his position at Anthropic—an AI company competing with OpenAI, Google, and Meta—functions as an internal think tank. During his premiership between October 2022 and July 2024, Sunak prioritised technology regulation, notably hosting the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023.

Acoba acknowledged that both companies hold significant interests in UK government policy, with Microsoft maintaining major investments in Britain. However, the watchdog determined that Sunak’s time out of government has reduced the value of any sensitive information he might possess. The appointments come with strict conditions: Sunak cannot advise on UK contract bidding or lobby government ministers for two years from his last day in office.

Looking Forward

These advisory roles mark Sunak’s third post-government position, following a previously announced role with Goldman Sachs where he worked between 2001 and 2004. All earnings from the new positions will fund The Richmond Project, a charity Sunak founded with his wife to address numeracy challenges in the UK.

The appointments reflect a growing trend of former political leaders joining technology firms, particularly as artificial intelligence transforms global business and policy landscapes. Sunak’s experience hosting international AI safety discussions positions him to bridge government understanding and corporate innovation.

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